The Dresden Files, book 3 : Grave Peril by Jim Butcher

From the book description:- Harry Dresden's faced some pretty terrifying foes during his career. Giant scorpions. Oversexed vampires. Psychotic werewolves. It comes with the territory when you're the only professional wizard in the Chicago area phone book. But in all Harry's years of supernatural sleuthing, he's never faced anything like this: the spirit world's gone loco. All over Chicago, ghosts are causing trouble - and not just of the door-slamming, boo-shouting variety. These ghosts are tormented, violent, and deadly. Someone - or something - is purposely stirring them up to wreak unearthly havoc. But why? And why do so many of the victims have ties to Harry? If Harry doesn't figure it out soon, he could wind up a ghost himself ...

In  this episode, Harry gets involved investigating why it seems that all the spirits in Chicago are going loco.  As the plot unfolds, it turns out that it's related to a previous case that he helped the police with, along side Michael, the local Knight of the Cross, who wields one of three Holy swords of power.  This is where the series really gets going.  Michael is a long term reocurring hero in the books and I just love his eternal, unfaultering faith in The Almighty.  Butcher writes Michael brilliantly, and his wife Charity, who, for some reason detests Dresden (you find out why much later in the series), plus there is a new character introduced that will also recur throughout books to come....  Susan bites off more than she can chew, and Harry's Godmother Leah decides that it's time she called in an overdue debt (well, pact).  Along the journey, Harry has to battle Vampires, ghosts, demons, vampires, sorcerers and vampires....  Lots of sh!t kicks off in this that will have repercussions for may books to come.....

Another really good story from Butcher.

The Dresden Files, book 2 : Fool Moon by Jim Butcher

From the book description:- Business has been slow. Okay, business has been dead. And not even of the undead variety. You would think Chicago would have a little more action for the only professional wizard in the phone book. But lately, Harry Dresden hasn't been able to dredge up any kind of work - magical or mundane. But just when it looks like he can't afford his next meal, a murder comes along that requires his particular brand of supernatural expertise. A brutally mutilated corpse. Strange-looking paw prints. A full moon. Take three guesses - and the first two don't count ...

This episode in the chronicles of Harry Dresden is about Werewolves, and all of their brethren.  Harry is called in by Karrin Murphy to help with the grizzly murder of one of Gentleman Johnny Marcone's goons who appears to have been mauled by a Werewolf !  As Harry investigates, it turns out that there are four types of werewolves and they all appear in this tale.  It's not a complicated story (probably Butchers least complicated one), but has some twists from the character's perspectives and is still a really enjoyable read.

The Dresden Files, book 1 : Storm Front by Jim Butcher

From the book description:- Lost items found. Paranormal Investigations. Consulting. Reasonable rates. No Love Potions, Endless Purses, or Other Entertainment. Harry Dresden is the best and technically the 'only' at what he does. So when the Chicago P.D. has a case that transcends mortal capabilities, they come to him for answers. For the 'everyday' world is actually full of strange and magical things - and most of them don't play well with humans. That's where Harry comes in. Takes a wizard to catch a - well, whatever.

A friend of mine put me onto Jim Butcher's stories about a modern day wizard, who is also a P.I., based in Chicago.  Since picking up this book, I have read the whole series (and will review each one on this blog as I re-read them). 

In this story, he is approached by a woman who's husband has disappeared, and is also engaged by the Chicago P.D. to help with a grizzly double murder.  As he investigates both, he discovers that all is not what it seems and that dark magic is at play.  To make matters worse, Harry is also on probation with the "White Council" of Wizards as a possible Sorcerer having killed his former mentor (in self-defense).  So, he has a Warder following him most of the time waiting for him to trip-up and break some more rules, so the Council can execute him for using dark magic (which is outlawed).  As he investigates, he unravels a story of vampires, criminal gangs, prostitution, magical drugs, sorcery and demonic possession that ends in an explosive climax. 

It's a fast-paced exciting story that is written with the right amount of humour and horror to be thoroughly enjoyable.  If you like fantasy or horror there is probably enough here for you to thoroughly enjoy.